VA Form 21-22 — Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative

What is VA Form 21-22?

VA Form 21-22 appoints a Veterans Service Organization, such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars or a state veterans agency, as your representative before VA. The appointment covers claims for any benefits based on the veteran's service, and the form says the organization won't charge a fee for this help. To appoint an individual attorney or claims agent instead, VA points to Form 21-22a.

Page 1 covers the veteran, any other claimant (such as a surviving spouse) and the organization, including the official representative acting for it. Page 2 holds three choices: whether VA may share records about drug or alcohol treatment, HIV or sickle cell anemia, any limits on that, and whether the organization may change your address. Both you and the organization's representative sign.

FileIt asks each question, pre-fills the veteran's details from your vault, prints capitals one letter per box on VA's own PDF (JUL 2023 edition) and repeats the SSN at the top of page 2. The form goes in the person's vault folder, and you can send it for eSignature to both you and the representative, or sign it by hand. You or the organization send it to VA; FileIt never files it.

Who needs to fill out VA Form 21-22?

• Veterans who want a service officer from a VSO or state veterans agency to prepare and follow their claims.
• Surviving spouses, children and parents claiming benefits based on a veteran's service.
• Claimants changing from one organization to another, since naming a new one replaces the old appointment.

When to use VA Form 21-22

• Before or when you file a claim, so the organization can see your file and speak to VA for you.
• Before a decision review, such as a Higher-Level Review, where a representative will talk to VA or sign for you.
• When you want to change your representative or update what they may see.

What you need before you start

• The veteran's name, Social Security number, date of birth and, if they apply, VA file, service and insurance numbers.
• Mailing addresses and phone numbers for the veteran and any other claimant.
• The exact name of the organization, the representative acting for it, their job title, and the organization's email.
• Your decisions on sharing protected treatment records and on letting the organization change your address.

What’s on VA Form 21-22

The 2023 edition has 4 pages. FileIt asks for it in 5 parts, and it is signed by Veteran or claimant and Service organization representative:

1. Section I: Veteran's informationVeteran or claimant
2. Section II: Claimant's information (if other than the veteran)Veteran or claimant
3. Section III: Service organization informationService organization representative
4. Section IV: Authorization informationVeteran or claimant
5. Section V: SignaturesVeteran or claimant

How to fill out VA Form 21-22, step by step

1 Section I: Veteran

Name, SSN, VA file number, date of birth, service number, insurance numbers with their letter prefix, mailing address, phone and email.

2 Section II: Claimant

Only when the claimant isn't the veteran: their name, date of birth, relationship to the veteran, address, phone and email.

3 Section III: Service organization

The recognized organization's name, the official representative acting for it (this appoints the whole organization, not only that person), their job title, the organization's email and the date of the appointment.

4 Section IV: Authorizations

Item 19 lets VA share records protected by 38 U.S.C. 7332 (drug abuse, alcoholism, HIV, sickle cell anemia) with the organization; item 20 can exclude any of those; item 21 lets the organization change your address in VA's records.

5 Section V: Signatures

You sign 22A and the organization's representative signs 23A, each with the date. The VA USE ONLY boxes stay empty.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Naming an organization that isn't recognized by VA. Page 3 lists them, and VA's accreditation search can confirm.
• Using this form to appoint an attorney or claims agent personally, which needs Form 21-22a.
• Leaving out the representative's signature in 23A.
• Printing or typing a name in the signature boxes, which say Do Not Print.
• Forgetting that a new appointment replaces your earlier representative.

After you fill it out

Get both signatures, through FileIt eSignature or by hand, and send the form to VA or give it to the organization to submit.

Keep the signed PDF in your vault so you can show who represents you.

To end the appointment later, the form says you can revoke it in writing or appoint another representative.

VA Form 21-22: frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA): https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-22-ARE.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-22/
• Edition shown on this page: VA Form 21-22, JUL 2023 (OMB No. 2900-0321, printed expiry 07/31/2026) (checked 2026-10-19).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBA) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.

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